Matching Hardware to Business Model

Selecting the right clay trap is an exercise in Return on Investment (ROI). A trap that is over-specified for a small club wastes budget; a trap that is under-specified for a major championship ground causes downtime and reputational damage.

At Promatic, we categorize our sporting traps into distinct tiers. This analysis compares the Falcon, the Super Hawk, and the Harrier to help you decide which chassis fits your ground's infrastructure.

The Falcon Series: The Commercial Juggernaut

The Falcon is the industry standard for major competition grounds.

• Engineering Philosophy: Designed for continuous duty cycles. It utilises a heavy-duty motor and a high-torque gearbox that can withstand the heat generated by constant firing (e.g., during flush sequences).

• The Knife-Edge Advantage: The Falcon comes standard with the Knife-Edge clay separator. This is non-negotiable for commercial grounds that shoot in all weathers. It physically forces wet or frozen clays apart, reducing "no-birds" to near zero.

• Use Case: Registered sporting shoots, simulated game days, and high-volume "Pay & Play" layouts.

The Super Hawk: The Club Professional

The Super Hawk sits in the "mid-commercial" tier.

• Engineering Philosophy: It shares the robust throwing arm geometry of the Falcon but operates on a slightly lighter chassis.

• Performance Delta: The cycle time (re-cocking speed) is marginally slower than the Falcon (approx. 2.0 seconds vs 1.5 seconds). For a standard squad of 5 shooters, this is negligible. However, for a 4-man rapid flush, the Super Hawk may lag slightly behind the rhythm of the shooters.

• Use Case: Private estates, corporate entertainment venues, and established local clubs.

The Harrier: The Entry-Level Automatic

The Harrier is often the first electric trap a small club or individual buys.

• Engineering Philosophy: Lightweight and portable. It typically lacks the heavy-duty solenoid and gearbox casing of the Falcon.

• Limitations: While accurate, the Harrier is not designed to hold 300-400 clays in a carousel (usually capped at 200). It is perfect for personal practice but may overheat if forced to run a 5,000-bird corporate day.

FAQs

Q: Is the Promatic Falcon worth the extra cost over the Super Hawk?

A: Yes, if your ground operates daily or hosts simulated game days. The ROI on the Falcon comes from its heavy-duty gearbox and electrical components which resist thermal cut-outs during rapid fire. For a Saturday-only club, the Super Hawk offers 90% of the performance for a lower capital expenditure, making it the smarter financial choice for lower-volume venues.

Q: Can I upgrade a Harrier trap to commercial specs?

A: Generally, no. While you can upgrade the carousel capacity on some models, you cannot easily upgrade the motor torque or gearbox ratio. The chassis of the Harrier is lighter and may flex under the torque of a heavy-duty commercial motor. If you are outgrowing a Harrier, it is more cost-effective to trade it in for a Super Hawk.

Q: Which trap is best for extreme angles (Teal/Loopers)?

A: The Falcon and Super Hawk both offer fully adjustable tilt-and-turn bases. However, for extreme "vertical teal" targets (near 90 degrees), the Falcon's higher torque motor ensures the arm maintains speed against gravity, providing a consistent 100mph+ launch even on a vertical trajectory.